The old door shook. It wasn’t his intent to harm anything. Fact is, the once-reverend W. W. Ronin wouldn’t think of making light of the buildings that had given him succor over the years—initially in Greensboro, Pennsylvania where he was in training, and later in Wichita, Kansas as the second rector of the St. John’s Episcopal Church, when it was still made out of logs and situated between the confluence of two sometimes over-flowing rivers. There was still something sacred about religious places, even if he didn’t embrace the faith they sometimes contained. The church wasn’t just about “the people,” as he used to say while preaching, one hand on the lectionary, the other searching for a Bible in the event his people asked an unexpected question or two over the meal that many times followed services. Church was the building, too, though he didn’t understand that at the time. He lifted his knee up to his chest and pushed again, the bottom of his foot—the ball, actually, not the heel as it dissipated too much force to use his boot that way—and the old wooden doors, crafted from pine planks harvested in the Sierra mountains, just up the Kings Canyon toll road he figured not that it mattered, splintered into pieces like the old man’s leg caught under the wheel of an errant coach from Benton’s Livery on Carson Street last week. The door swung back and forth, its lock shattered, shards of it rolling lifelessly across the entry way of the building, erected in 1861, before Nevada was even a state. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain’s) brother, Orion and his wife Molly attended there, though Clemens was now dead, having died a year ago, about the same time he began to wonder if there was anything real at all to the Protestant convictions he once proffered as an Episcopal priest on the American frontier. He dumped the shorter of his two Colt handguns over the back of his holster, until it was level, and then slowly extended it forward into the midnight darkness of Nevada’s oldest sanctuary, as long as you didn’t count the Mormon meeting place in Genoa, or the Catholic church which was actually finished before the Presbyterians were, though the Calvinists had started earlier but ran out of money. Read more…

He’d probably blush, hearing that such a distinguished title had been tossed his direction. But as an historical fiction writer currently focused on Nevada in the 1880s, I want to give this distinguished Nevada historian a “full salute,” as some say. Howard Hickson’s work has benefited me each time I’ve researched a novel. He’s deepened my understanding of Nevada’s people and places. Director Emeritus of the Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko, he’s been long retired. In a brief e-mail exchange this evening–thank you, Howard, you were kind to respond–he told me he was no longer involved in research. All the more reason for the rest of us to get busy I suppose. I’m currently most fond of Mint Mark: CC – A History of the U.S. Mint in Carson City. I just received a copy of the 1972 paperback in Oregon this morning. I finished it before breakfast and later found myself bragging to friends about things I’d been hoping to find out for a long time. Some of what I learned from Howard’s life-long involvement in Nevada history will no doubt be included in my seventh narrative in the W. W. Ronin series of Westerns, Bathhouse Row. For example, his 2002 book, Elko, One of the Last Frontiers of the Old West, was an extraordinary boost to my research for books three and four, The Pinkerton Years and True Believer. A resident of an assisted care facility in Elko, Nevada, you can find some of what Howard has written here. Savor it. I’ve bumped into a few of Nevada’s best over the years. In the late 80s and early 90s, the late Vic Goodwin and I used to have lunch together at the Ormsby House Rotary meeting. Also gone, Willa Oldham and I sat more than a few times in her living room discussing books and writing. Both of these dear saints were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Carson City, where I was pastor. Hell, even Ron James sold me a trumpet once. Now there’s a saint for sure, and he keeps on giving. Howard, and the rest of you for that matter, I don’t use this language often–my character, the former reverend W. W. Ronin even less so. But you and your writing have blessed me. A profound thank you. Read more…

Subscribe get six chapters from my unpublished book, The Mountain Is Easy, FREE!

First Name:Email address:

A thoughtful afterward is a good reminder of just how much research Townsley does to write his novels. I’m drawn into the fiction and learn from the historical about the areas in which I grew up, yet one does not need to be a Nevadan nor a Westerner to smile while reading Townsley’s deep character development. My fear is that Ronin will settle down (again, no spoilers!) because I’m not ready for his adventures to come to an end. The world needs this thoughtful good guy who realizes even bad guys have stories. - Yukon Joe, Cornelius, OR
I read a lot of women's fiction, generally for story and character development, and I took the story East Jesus, Nevada to be rich in both. Ronin is a likable character who learns a thing or two along the way. And what fun dialogue to boot! What surprised me the most about this book, however, is how immersed I was in the old west world the author created. He really paid attention to detail. I felt like I was right there with the characters, sharing in their adventures. Since I'm from Nevada originally, this story took on extra meaning for me... - April Aasheim, author of The Universe Is a Very Big Place and the Witches of Darkroot series
Gregg Townsley writes about things he understands. The history and geography of Nevada, fast guns and fast action. I highly recommend his books! - Jon "Trickshot" Wilson, shooting coach for the TV show Top Shot (2010) and World Fast Draw Association champion 2004, 2011 and 2012
All the while I was reading Lady of the Lake I heard the late Sam Peckinpah's distant ghost-voice imploring, "Goddammit, Lord, send me back down there for one last movie...Gregg Townsley writes violent scenes the way Peckinpah films them, bringing us so close to the action we see it break into detailed increments. It enables us as readers to sail virtually with ex-Episcopalian priest-cum-bounty hunter W.W. Ronin over the head of his horse onto a sandy path, breaking his/our fall with a trained tumble that starts with a hand, then rolls to a forearm and finally to a shoulder before we're on our feet dashing into a tree-line. Townsley brings off a visceral authenticity in this opening scene and subsequent descriptions of fights with fists, knives, clubs and guns with a perfect marriage of writing craft and the authority of knowing what he's talking about." - Mathew Paust, author of Executive Pink, Sacrifice and If the Woodsman Is Late
I love the historical setting and detail, the pace of the story, the character shadings, and even the almost hidden lessons in geography, theology and sociology. his is a first rate western by any and all standards. The hero shoots straight (and often), the side - kicks entertain and comes through when most needed, the warm-hearted gal remains disconcerting on the hero's mind, and there is a "made for the movies" action sequence that beats any horse chase you ever read or saw. - Jeff Barton, Iowa City, IA
Having spent a few years living in Lake Tahoe I found this book a joy. I knew there was quite a history of the area but never was exposed to much of it. I was transported back one hundred and fifty years to my old stopping grounds. What a treat. - Kirk Larson, Forest Grove, OR
Wow, Having been to the places in this book made it even more interesting. The story was well written and takes the reader on an adventure through times long past. This was a great follow up on the life and times of the subjects form East Jesus Nevada, the first book of the series. I will look forward to the next book. - Lee Kiger, Tigard, OR
"Most things said and done, I try to fix things, to make them right. And if there's a dollar or two to be made along the way, I try to pick it up." Townsley is really finding his stride…The prose is a fine balance between pulpy fun and elegant wordsmithing, at its best reminding me of later Spenser novels. The story and characters are the most vibrant so far. Though the overall story is true to the genre, he throws in surprises in how the twists and turns get handled…Definitely worth the money and time invested in this latter-day western. - Jason Brick, author of Mastering the Business of Writing, The 9 Habits of Highly Profitable Writing and Train Wreck: The Farcas Foxtrots
True Believer is a delicious cook pot of murder, intrigue, vice and virtue beautifully crafted by Townsley with a touch as light as a Paiute Indian scout's footfalls. - Shaun Mullen, former editor of the Philadelphia Daily News, author of The Bottom of the Fox and There's a House in the Land
I haven't read a western in years (maybe decades). The style of writing in the old westerns was too slow for my modern taste, and the plot too predictable. East Jesus, Nevada is a fast-moving, intriguing, old west story brought to life by Gregg's Townsley's modern style of writing. - Phil Stramel, Long Beach, CA
A great ride, if you'll pardon the irreverent reference! The characters are believable and the situations based on historical lore and fact. I'm looking forward to The Lady of the Lake and any future endeavors by Mr. Townsley. "Please. sir, may I have another?" - Casino Fossel, Boise, ID
A great book with believable characters. If you are tired of the cookie cutter westerns then this is the book for you. Characters that are real, situations that are believable and a main character that has all the flaws just like the rest of us.
- SJM, Vancouver, Canada
With a wonderful blend and mix of dialogue and fun...Well-written and wonderful characters top off the book, with WW Ronin definitely standing out as my favorite. Woot! - Holly Hunt, author of The Devil’s Wife, Blood Moon, Tryant of Tarsit, Scale and Leather
Gregg Edwards Townsley knows Nevada like no one else. His latest installment of the adventures of W. W. Ronin is his best work yet. Captivating and engaging from cover to cover...superb writing about one of America's greatest eras. - Tom Bleecker, Hollywood screenwriter, publisher, and author of The Bruce lee Story, Unsettled Matters, The Journey, The Jet and Jolanta.
Home Means Nevada is a Western told in the skillful manner of the old masters like Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour. Townsley is a master wordsmith and his work comes alive with action and suspense. - W. R. Benton, best-selling Western novelist, author of War Paint, Missouri in Flames, mountain Man Justice, and the Fall of America series.
The W. W. Ronin Western series brings a fresh perspective to historical fiction, blending adventure with colorful facts of Nevada and northern California during the 1880s. - Linda Pendleton, author of Deadly Flare-Up, The Catherine Winter Private Investigator series, A Walk Through Death, and with her late husband, adventure writer Don Pendleton, The Metaphysics of the Novel: the Inner Workings of a Novel and a Novelist
A Western novel with the twists, turns and pathos of fine noir detective fare. Home Means Nevada demonstrates Townsley's knowledge and love of Nevada, firearms, moral quandaries and the questions that drive all men to chase their dreams and demons to every corner of the world. His best work so far. - Jason Brick, author of Mastering the Business of Writing, The Nine Habits of highly Profitable Writing, Astoria: Your Guidebook for Oregon's Gateway to the Pacific, and the Farcas Foxtrot series
Tommy's a man of few words when he's working, but when he's telling us all about it...imagine Sam Spade or Mike Hammer on amphetamines--a fistful of amphetamines--and you've got the picture. "Jersey Tomato" is a ride down literary rapids in a jet-propelled kayak. I laughed all the way. "Hell," as Tommy V. would say, "I'm still laughing." - Matthew Paust, author of First Shot, Nature of the Bones, and When the Songbirds Went Silent in Cheerytown.
Gregg Townsley nails the murder-mystery genre with a strong and compelling action and humor-filled narrative. Townsley's writng is remarkably consistent, with lively dialogue and clever banter between private investigator Valentine and his sassy, saucy, but tough wife, Babs. Fast-paced and sharp - D. C. Jesse Burkhardt, author of Travelogue From an Unruly Youth and The Crowbar Hotel.
This short tale of murder and mayhem on holiday is my favorite work of an increasingly prolific talent...A must for fans of noir and of gonzo tales by the likes of Lansdale and Hiassen. - Jason Brick, "That Writer Guy," and the author of Mastering the Business of Writing, The Nine Habits of Highly Profitable Writing and the Farkas Foxtrot series.
You are a regular Andrew Lloyd Webber in the literary world. You just keep cranking out the hits. - Gail McMullen Marinelli, Howard County Public Schools